“Impressive,” he continued, seeming amused by the whole thing. “Very impressive, indeed.” He dismounted, and as he did, all his men immediately parted ways, as he walked into the circle.
Sam felt himself redden, as he realized that it must have looked as if he were unable to handle himself, as if he would have been helpless if it weren’t for Polly. Which was, he realized, at least partly, true. But he couldn’t be too upset, because at the same time, he was so grateful to her for saving him.
Furthering his embarrassment, the King ignored him, and walked right up to Polly.
“You can let him go now,” the King said to her, still smiling.
“Why should I?” she asked, looking back and forth from him to Sam, still cautious.
“Because we were never going to hurt you. It was but a test. To see if you were worthy of being on Skye. After all,” he laughed, “you landed on our shores!” The King broke into hearty laughter again, and several of his men stepped forward, handing him two long, bejeweled swords, gleaming in the morning light, cover with rubies and sapphires and emeralds. Sam was taken aback at the sight: they were the most beautiful swords he had ever seen.
“You have passed our test,” the King announced. “And these are for you. A gift.” Sam walked over to Polly’s side, as she slowly let go her hostage. They each reached out, and took a sword, examining the jewel-encrusted hilt. Sam marveled at its craftsmanship.
“For two very worthy warriors,” he said. “We are honored to welcome you.” He turned his back, and began to walk, and it was clear that Sam and Polly were meant to follow. As he walked, he boomed out:
“Welcome to our Isle of Skye.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Caitlin and Caleb, followed by Scarlet and Ruth, walked at a brisk pace through the Isle of Skye, flanked by Taylor, Tyler, and several other of Aiden’s coven members. Caitlin was overjoyed to see them. After the initial hardships of landing in this place and time, she finally felt a sense of peace and ease, as she knew they were exactly where they were supposed to be. Taylor and Tyler, and all of Aiden’s people, had been thrilled to see them, too. It was so odd seeing them in this different time and place, in this cold climate, on this stark and barren island in the middle of nowhere. Caitlin was beginning to see how times and places changed, but people were timeless.
Taylor and Tyler led them on a brisk walking tour of the island, and they had been walking for hours. Caitlin had asked immediately if they had any news of Sam or Polly; when they had said no, she had been crestfallen. She desperately hoped that they’d made it back in time, too.
As they walked, Taylor filled them in on their coven’s rituals, habits, new training methods, and on anything and everything Caitlin could possibly want to know. Caitlin realized that Skye was stunning, one of the most beautiful places she had ever been. It felt ancient, primordial, with boulders rising from the landscape, moss-covered hills, mountain lakes reflecting the morning sun, and a beautiful mist which seemed to hang over everything.
“The mist never leaves us,” Tyler said, smiling, reading Caitlin’s mind.
Caitlin blushed, embarrassed, as always, at how easily others read her thoughts.
“In fact, that’s where it gets its name: Skye means ‘the misty isle,’” Taylor said. “It lends a pretty dramatic backdrop to everything here, don’t you think?”
Caitlin nodded, surveying the landscape.
“And it’s useful in battling our enemies,” Tyler chimed in. “Yet no one even dares approach our shores.”
“I don’t blame them,” Caleb said. “That was hardly a welcoming entrance.” Taylor and Tyler smiled.
“Only the worthy can approach. That’s our test. It’s been years since anyone’s tried to visit—and even more years since they passed that test and made it to our shores alive.”
“Only the worthy can survive and train here,” Taylor said. “But the training is the best in the world.”
“Skye is an unforgiving place,” Tyler added, “a place of extremes. Aiden’s coven is as close here as it’s ever been. We hardly ever leave. We train together nearly all day long, and in the most extreme of environments—cold, fog, rain, cliffs, in the mountains, on freezing lakes, on rocky shores—
sometimes even in the ocean. There are very few training methods he hasn’t put us through. And we are more battle-hardened than we have ever been.”
“And we do not train alone,” Tyler added. “Human warriors live here, too, led by their King, McCleod. They have a castle and their own legion of warriors, and we all live and train together. It is very unusual, vampires and humans training together. But we are very close here. We are all warriors, and we all respect the warrior code.”
“Although, of course,” Tyler said, “we don’t cross any lines with mating. Many of them would like to have our vampire skills, but Aiden has strict rules about our turning humans. So they are resigned to the fact that they never will be one of us. We live and train in harmony together. We sharpen their skills beyond what any human could dream of. And they offer us shelter and protection. They have an arsenal of silver-tipped weapons, and if any rival covens should ever attack, they stand ready to defend us.”
“A castle?” Scarlet suddenly asked. “A real castle?”
Taylor looked down, and broke into a big smile. She reached over and took Scarlet’s free hand as they walked.
“Yes, love. We are bringing you there right now. In fact,” she said, as they rounded a hill and pointed, “it’s just over there.”
They all stopped and stared, and Caitlin was amazed at the sight. Before them was an expansive vista of rolling hills, mountains, lakes, and in the distance, perched on its own small cliff, was an ancient castle, nestled at the edge of a huge lake.
“Dunvegan Castle,” Taylor announced. “Home of Scottish kings for centuries.”
“WOW!” Scarlet screamed. “Mommy, we get to live in a castle!” Caitlin couldn’t help but smile, as did the others, as Scarlet’s enthusiasm was infectious.
“Can Ruth come, too!?” Scarlet asked. Caitlin glanced at Taylor, who nodded back. “Of course she can, love.”
Scarlet squealed in delight, hugging Ruth, and the group hurried down the slope, towards the distant castle.